All roads lead to Healy Park Omagh this weekend as Armagh renew acquaintances with rivals Tyrone.
Saturday’s encounter provides Armagh with the perfect chance to get over over their old nemesis and knock them out of the McKenna Cup.
It won’t be a season defining victory by any means, but it will signal their first win over Tyrone since 2014.
That was a championship clash in the same venue, but Tyrone have held the upper hand in the rivalry since.
Cavan defeat
The All-Ireland champions are coming off the back of a 15 point drumming by Cavan, although they won’t read too much into that result.
The Red Hands had just returned from holiday and fielded an under strength team.
They’re sure to bring a better showing to Saturday’s clash. We’re likely to see more familiar faces in the red and white.
Tyrone have been the kingpins of the McKenna Cup for over a decade, but perhaps Fergal Logan and Brian Dooher aren’t as concerned with the competition as Mickey Harte once was.
A win on Saturday would see Armagh top the table and progress to the semi finals.
Opening day win
The Orchard started with a strong line up in their opening day win over Cavan. Some youngsters got match day minutes as well.
Justin Kieran, Ciaran Higgins, Conor Turbitt and goal scorer Ross McQuillan all saw game time.
Armagh haven’t won the McKenna Cup since 1994, but did reach the decider in 2019, losing to Tyrone by two.
This weekend will mark the second meeting of the two sides in a number of weeks, following the recent ‘Christmas Cracker’ charity game in December.
There are bigger, more important clashes down the line of course. Armagh host their neighbours in round two of the National Football League.
